First fill up.

[JPHAULER]

Hello all!

just got my 6.7 Tremor, and finally had my first fuel fill up yesterday at about 350 miles. When I filled up the truck I had a full DEF tank according to the gauge. I have been idling the truck a bit before I went to drive but not for hours on end. I hopped in the truck this morning after the morning start up and my tank was at 1/4 full. I’m wondering if this is normal, have I just gone though a regen or what? Any ideas? Might take it to the stealership to check it out. Thanks!

 

[JPHAULER]

Also, my daily commute is about 15min and it has been around 0 - 20*F the past week

 

[rblazeiko]

Has anyone had issues with the accuracy of the level when the DEF is frozen? is the tank essentially full still but there is a thawed bubble around the heater and sending unit that just shows low?

 

[Dzlbudman]

I would bet your DEF level sensor is frozen. Drive it for awhile longer than 15 Mins it will most likely go up on level. The DEF may actually be frozen. You need the DEF heater to have actually have time to warm up the DEF fluid.

 

[Skibum1681]

From what I have read and somewhat experienced on my 2017, the DEF tank doesn't have a gauge in it rather it has a few sensors and uses the computer and DEF usage to gauge how much DEF is left. I believe there is a sensor to indicate when its full, possibly one around 1/4 and one to indicate when it is empty. It may have never been filled completely or there could be a sensor issue.

I get between 7,000 and 9,000 miles on a tank and takes between 6.5 and 7.25 gallons to fill. I was also told to fill it completely when I do fill since the range is more or less calculated and the truck needs to know its full to start the calc over.

As far as level when frozen, it doesn't seem to have an effect since I think it is calculated.

I have noticed when I remote start and its cold out, the truck smells like an old school diesel where as opposed to when its warm it smells like its using DEF at idle.

I could be wrong but this has been my experience with my 17'

 

[Skibum1681]

I also fill it at a truck stop near my house, its much cheaper and I can easily fill it completely. The price really doesnt matter though since you should be getting 8,000 +/- miles out of a tank. Its really a tiny cost per mile and you could use a high quality pre packaged DEF it it makes you more comfortable.

 

[joshthedoc]

I am at 4400 miles right now, and my DEF light came on telling me I only have 500 miles to go before a refill. I am in the mountains, but no sub zero temps here. Is this an issue?

 

[Skibum1681]

I'm only at 900' elevation so I'm not sure if elevation has an effect on it. The only thing that matters is DO NOT LET IT RUN OUT! It will give you a couple warnings but will de-rate you or possibly even not let you drive if you try to take it past 0 miles.

I make it a point to make my way to the DEF pump when my 500mi warning goes off and then fill it up. The "DEF miles to empty" seems to be pretty accurate on my 17' so I don't stress out about it I just get it when I can. It warns you every time you start the truck when inside 500 mile range so your truck will try to annoy you until you fill it.

 

[davidb1841]

I would be concerned your DEF is frozen.......or sensors are...that is not accurate

 

[JPHAULER]

I would be concerned your DEF is frozen.......or sensors are...that is not accurate

That’s what I was thinking. Potentially could cause issues with not getting DEF to the exhaust

 

[JPHAULER]

It did hit -9*F last night so that potentially could cause an issue.

 

[Skibum1681]

My DEF is likely frozen every morning, the DEF system has a heater to take care of this; it turns on when the truck is started, if it needs it to.

In the morning when I remote start, the exhaust at idle smells like diesel exhaust. Later in the day after I've run the truck a few times the exhaust goes back to the normal modern diesel-DEF exhaust smell. Its possible its frozen, or there is an issue, or it was just never filled at the dealer or factory (I'm not sure where this would normally get done)

The mornings here in Buffalo have been between 0 and the low teens.

 

[davidb1841]

My DEF is likely frozen every morning, the DEF system has a heater to take care of this; it turns on when the truck is started, if it needs it to.

In the morning when I remote start, the exhaust at idle smells like diesel exhaust. Later in the day after I've run the truck a few times the exhaust goes back to the normal modern diesel-DEF exhaust smell. Its possible its frozen, or there is an issue, or it was just never filled at the dealer or factory (I'm not sure where this would normally get done)

The mornings here in Buffalo have been between 0 and the low teens.

I am from Buffalo......left in 78 when I enlisted....miss the snow, the wings, pizza, and garden burrito's...do not miss the rust.

 

[davidb1841]

Just for reference: this fall and winter I drove about 5500 miles between oil changes and I used about 2/3 of a DEF Tank.

 

[JPHAULER]

Just for reference: this fall and winter I drove about 5500 miles between oil changes and I used about 2/3 of a DEF Tank.

Damn, okay, yea if it doesn’t come back up by this weekend she’s going to the dealership. Something is probably just frozen and not happy.

 

[JPHAULER]

My DEF is likely frozen every morning, the DEF system has a heater to take care of this; it turns on when the truck is started, if it needs it to.

In the morning when I remote start, the exhaust at idle smells like diesel exhaust. Later in the day after I've run the truck a few times the exhaust goes back to the normal modern diesel-DEF exhaust smell. Its possible its frozen, or there is an issue, or it was just never filled at the dealer or factory (I'm not sure where this would normally get done)

The mornings here in Buffalo have been between 0 and the low teens.

Maybe the heater isn’t coming on. I have my truck heat up every morning. Maybe it’s not thawing every day. Or the sensor is just frozen. We’ll see by this weekend what happens. If I can get it to thaw then I won’t worry about it